CHAPTER ONE

Amelia set her phone on the dining room table. She had just ended a phone discussion with her daughter Olivia, who was doing well in college and with whom she had discussed visiting soon.

Olivia had become irate with Amelia when she claimed that she would have to ask her husband.

Mom, I adore your dad. But why do you allow him to exert such influence over you?

The outburst from Amelia's daughter caught her off guard. but, at least in her mind, had always kept that aspect of her life private from her children.

"Honey, I don't understand what you mean."

"Mum. I've seen it, and so has Daniel. Since we can remember, it has been happening. Nothing can be done without your father's approval.

Olivia refused to give up despite Amelia's arguments that it wasn't real. Getting the guts to inform her mother had taken some time for her. Since she had already begun, she would continue speaking until she had finished.

She also had a voice. She vented everything, and for the next 10 minutes, she remembered all the occasions of her father's domineering behavior toward her mother. Sally realized her daughter was correct as she talked, of course she was.

But more than anything he could do to her, the knowledge that her kids had noticed pained her. She realized that she had little control over her life and that her children were aware of it as well. Olivia felt horrible after her tirade and apologized to her mother.

"Mum. I apologize. I had to say it, though. I adore both my father and you, mom. He cannot, however, treat you this way. You're still a young mother; you should be living life right now.

Olivia had called her and told her that she was going to talk to her dad and tell him that her mum was coming to visit because she needed to see her. Amelia stared at the mobile, knowing full well that as soon as Olivia spoke to him he would call her and ask her what was going on. After waiting for half an hour she decided he wasn't going to call, so she got up and went about her usual chores.

Later that afternoon, while she was putting away some freshly cleaned and ironed clothing in her bedroom, she felt something familiar as she pushed her hand into the drawer holding her underwear. She moved it forward while gazing at it. She had vibrated.

She took it in her hands and examined it. She turned it on because she hadn't used it in so long. 'Nothing. Clearly, the batteries are dead. She recalled how he had purchased it for her and how they both had applied it to her. But that happened a very long time ago.

Though they used to engage in frequent sexual activity, she was unable to recall the last time they had sex. Furthermore, she was unable to recall the last time she had used her vibrator. She sighed and put it in the back of the drawer after slipping it in.

She was standing at the stove stirring a chilli as she anxiously awaited his coming from work when she heard the front door open and close. A short while later, he entered the kitchen. She was taken aback when, rather than launching into the anticipated rant, he crept up behind her and kissed her cheek while smelling the food. So far, so good, she reflected.

"Mmm, smells wonderful."

She was on edge as she waited for him to lose it, but he didn't. She started to question whether or not her daughter had called him. Considering his attitude, she came to the conclusion that she couldn't have.

He complemented her on her cooking at dinner because it was one of the things that had impressed him most about her when they first met. Moreover, she was enthusiastic in bed. He relaxed as she finished cleaning.

He said, "I spoke to Olivia today."

She went cold. Her legs started to quiver almost instantly. She turned to face him, trying to maintain her composure.

"Oh yes? How did she say it?

He gave her a smile.

She said, "You know exactly what she said."

Her eyes were dropped. The moment is now.

She groaned, "She said she wanted you to come and spend the weekend with her. "Yes," she replied.

He got to his feet and approached her. His hands were placed on her shoulders. When he touched her, she shook.

I told her it was a fantastic idea.

Her eyes shot up and fixed themselves on him.

"You do?"

He gave a nod.

"Yes. For months, you haven't seen her. She refused my request for her to return home, stating that she was too busy showing you about her new home.

She was stunned and unsure of how to respond. She hadn't counted on that kind of response.

"Oh, well. I'll give her a ring and ask when she wants me to arrive.

He turned and went into the living room.

No need. She requested that I let you know she will be visiting you on Friday.

Send her your train times by text.

She fixed her gaze on him. What in the world? That caught me off guard. Her thoughts immediately went to her daughter after that. She couldn't wait to see her when she arrived.

Before leaving for work on Friday morning, her husband gave her a kiss on the cheek and a hug.

Have fun, and tell Olivia I love her.

She found it hard to believe it was happening. She had been expecting him to alter his mind and make an excuse not to go all week. He hadn't, though. He had brought it up a few times, saying he wished he hadn't had to stay late at work on Friday because he would have loved to take her there.

She made sure she had everything once he left. Because she was so eager to visit her daughter, she had packed her little luggage and her train tickets for several days. Even though she always asked him if she may use her credit card, which was always kept in the drawer, he had made sure she had it.

She started to worry while she waited for the taxi since she couldn't help but notice that he was acting exactly like any other husband would.

"What is he doing?"

At the station, Olivia encountered the woman. She raced her and wrapped her in her arms as she passed through the ticket gates.

"Mum! It is wonderful to see you.

She had to struggle hard not to cry, and she couldn't stop staring at her kid the entire time they were walking to the taxi stand.

"Honey, you've only been gone for a little while. But you already appear to be an adult.

"Mum!" Olivia cried out.

It was a cab ride to Olivia's apartment. She had recently relocated to a home with five other students and requested that her mother stay with her. Sally had offered to get a hotel room, but her daughter would not accept no.

A wonderful couple of days were spent together. Unlike her and her mother, they had a wonderful relationship from the beginning, even during her teenage years. She was happy that she and Olivia hadn't followed Olivia's example since although she and her mother now had a wonderful relationship, those teenage years had been difficult for them both.

On the final morning of the trip, Amelia got up early. She had a lovely time with Olivia and her friends and didn't want to leave, so she felt a little depressed. Her friends had extended an invitation to her and said she was welcome to stop by whenever she wanted. She didn't care about the decision, which she believed had been driven by the meal she had made for them rather than her business. She had enjoyed the last few days and being with her daughter once more.

They arrived at the train station early, and she waited for her daughter to bring their coffee as they waited for her train.

Sally took a drink as Olivia sat down, and she could tell her daughter was thinking about something. What was wrong, she questioned. Ivy sighed.

"Mum. I must admit something.

Amelia leaned in and spoke quietly.

The question "You're pregnant?"

Olivia grinned while shaking her head.

"No mum."

Amelia sighed and leaned back in her chair.

"Well. It is what? You appear to have witnessed a ghost.

"Mum. You are aware that the subject of our most recent phone call was solely Dad?

Mother gave a nod.

"Well. Your arrival here was somewhat planned.

Amelia appeared perplexed.

"Mum. I organized it with Daniel."

As she explained that they needed to get Amelia away from home for their plan to work, Amelia just stared at her blankly.

The question "And what was your plan?"

Olivia leaned closer and lowered her voice.

To convince you that your father is having an affair.

Amelia was speechless as she regarded her daughter and stared at her.

Olivia went on to say that Daniel had seen his father out on a date and that he had been quite affectionate with a blonde woman in a bar. He requested one of his friends to follow him out of curiosity.

He believed that if he had done it, someone would have noticed. As it turned out, his acquaintance had witnessed the couple's kiss.

"I don't think it's true," Amelia yelled.

"Mum. I'm not done.

She continued by saying that later that evening, he was able to get into his father's mobile device. Daniel is employed by a software development company and has a degree in computer programming.

Olivia extended a few pieces of paper.

"Mum. He has texted her and sent her pictures.

Amelia focused on the documents Olivia was holding. Then Olivia continued after setting them on the table.

"Mum. According to the texts, he had intended to visit her yesterday night at a hotel. We so reasoned that if you arrived, he might reconsider and take her home.

Amelia gave her a frown.

"He would never!" Amelia sputtered.

As she laid her hand on her mother's, Olivia sighed.

"He did. Daniel has pictures of them entering our home after being seen in a bar. Mum. He brought her inside! "Into your bed!"

Amelia started to shake.

Olivia moved around the table before giving her mother a bear embrace.

"Mum. When you return home with us, Daniel and I will tell him to go.

Shaking her head, Amelia.

You've got it backwards You both have, Olivia.

Olivia sighed.

I didn't want to do this, mom, you know that.

She pulled out her phone, swiped it a couple times, and then showed her mother the screen. Amelia watched as Olivia scrolled through a collection of images that showed her husband Ian holding and kissing a blonde. Then she caught glimpses of them entering their home while walking up their driveway with his arm around her.

She was trembling and trying not to cry. Olivia gave her a hug.

I'll purchase a rail ticket, mom.

Amelia finally caught herself and took a few long breaths.

"No. I will be OK, honey.

Olivia supported her.

"Mum. Are you sure you're not going to let him get away with it? She fixed her gaze on the TV; the final picture showed them entering their home. She gave her daughter a long look.

"No. I'm not. However, I'll manage it.

She was unsure of her next steps. Thankfully, she had three hours on the train to settle down and think things through.

She took a moment to sit in the taxi and contemplate the mansion. After tipping the driver, she exited. She turned to stare at the front door as the cab pulled away. He wasn't there to greet her. She moved in that direction after grabbing her case's handle.

He was watching TV when she walked in. He cocked his head and smiled as she walked in.

"Honey, how was your weekend?" He asked.

She asked how he was doing and nodded. He told her that everything had gone smoothly and that he had stayed home to watch some taped television. She was desperately trying to keep her composure while inside her stomach was twisting and her legs were shaking. She activated the kettle after going into the kitchen. She sat at the table and waited for it to boil. He followed her inside and then turned to face her.

"Are you okay? How are you, Olivia? She remarked, turning to face him, "It's time.

"Jack, have a seat. We must speak. Upon sitting down, he grinned at her.

"What the heck is it, hun?"

She inhaled, followed by an exhalation. She informed him that she had been watching their youngster. She informed him that their kids had set up her weekend getaway as a method to catch him off guard, and they had succeeded. She accessed her phone's photo gallery and browsed the pictures Olivia had uploaded for her.

She observed his expression as she gave him the information about his betrayal. She put her phone down and turned to face him after showing him the last picture. He paused to reflect before extending his hand to take hers.

"Amelia?"

She retracted her hand.

"No! She is who? She exploded.

He kept grinning.

"Honey, she is nobody. Not at all what you anticipate.

The printouts of their text conversations were taken out of her bag by her hand. At him, she tossed them.

"Jack, don't mislead me."

He regarded them while also focusing on her.

Where did you come from, exactly?

Amelia fixed his gaze. As he realized where they had come from, he nodded.

"Daniel. I hate Daniel.

"Hey! Our son, that. At him, she yelled.

After gazing at the numerous texts, he turned to face her.

"I can elaborate."

Standing up, she turned away.

"Please don't say that to me. You don't need to tell me who she is since I already know.

She is the daughter of your employer, isn't she?

She was the little daughter of his dad's boss, Daniel had learned who she was. She was married and only four years older than Olivia. In the event that Jack's supervisor found out, Amelia understood what would happen to him. She observed as it gradually sunk in, and she almost saw his mind straining to come up with a solution. She chose to continue applying pressure.

"So. Was she fucked in our bed by you?

He fixed her with his gaze.

"Don't do this, Amelia." He begged.

"Well, did you?" She yelled.

He didn't respond because he didn't have to; he instead glanced down.

The question is, "How could you?"

He didn't raise an eye.

"Jack, what's wrong with me? I haven't felt your touch in months.

What precisely did I do wrong? "Tell me!"

At last, he turned his head to face her. She could tell he was having a hard time keeping up. He was unable to take the fact that she had finally challenged him. He struggled mightily to come up with an answer but was unsuccessful.

You didn't violate any laws.

The question "WHY?" She yelled.

They froze and just stared at the ground for a moment.

"You can use our bed. I'm going to sleep in the spare room tonight. Never again will I sleep like that.

She emerged from the kitchen, and he turned to face her.

Do you want me to leave, Amelia?

She came to a halt and turned.

"No. I don't. You're going to remain and observe.

He gave her a glance.

Observe what?

As she walked upstairs, she shook her head and turned away.

I have no idea, but you'll see whatever it is.

Olivia was shocked to learn what had occurred.

"Mom, why didn't you throw him out?"

She made an effort to explain that while she would eventually, she also had a plan to partially make up for the way he had treated her over the years. She refused to explain her strategy when Olivia asked her to.

"Honey, I'm not very proud of it. Furthermore, you wouldn't approve of it, so no. here...